Boy in the Striped Pajamas (1 Viewer)

[hotel3alpha]

All,

My daughter and I have always been intrigued by the cover on the DVD of this particular movie. It shows two boys sitting across from each other, one an obvious imprisoned Jew and the other a plainly dressed boy and in between them is an ominous electric fence. So, purchased it last week and watched it last night with the family. First of all, let me state that I have not read the novel of the same name by John Boyne and I am sure it is 10 times better than the picture. But after watching the film, I may not want to re-live the entire story as it is incredibly sad.

However, DON'T BLINK! It is told from the view point of a 8 year old kid who's dad is a newly appointed Commandant of a Nazi concentration camp. He has no friends and is dyeing to explore the wilderness behind his villa were he can see "farmers" working in pajamas. His mother forbids him to go in the back, but he finds an escape route where he is free to roam and play in the woods. Upon his explorations he runs into the corner of the prison camp where a kid is hiding behind rubble playing in the dirt by himself. They become friends and the rest is for you to see.

I must tell you that I was taking by total surprise by this film and it is one worth watching.

John

 

[Mitch]

I brought this film up in a post a while back as it was stunningly good. I have watched it a few times now and it remains powerful. Rather Ironic ending but, one of the best recent ''war'' movies IMO
Mitch

 

[hotel3alpha]

Major General Mitch,

With out giving it away to the viewers...the ending shocked me and my kids! The actors were absolutely brilliant and yes I had to pause the film the explain to my daughter that they are British Actors portraying Germans. Again, I did not read the book, but after thinking about it I may have too. I was really, really, really enthralled with the story and the film. In addition, the transition of his mother to proud wife of an Nazi officer to morally sick objector was well played. Well done, but such a sad, sad ending!

John

 

[lancer]

I saw this movie and found it well done but I feel the ending was contrived and predictable. Still, it is worth watching as it is well acted and written, except the ending. -- Al

 

[BLReed]

I saw this movie and found it well done but I feel the ending was contrived and predictable.

I agree. Not very plausible either. Another film with a similar tone set in Afghanistan is "The Kite Runner."

 

[Mitch]

I think the ending was done to try and head off criticism that it was a form of support or glorifying what the German regime did both book and film. There was a lot of heated discussion about this film when it was being made so, the more realistic ending of the German boy turning up to see his ''mate'' who had just been thrown in a gas chamber would have not sat well. At least this ending allows those who feel the need to think well, how do you like it or similar??
Mitch

Hotel3alpha...

Mitch is just fine!